Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-09-03
THE CLOAK OF TRUTH.
A ROMANCE FOR YOUNG AND OLD.

In q far-off corner of Eastern India
there lived, in the days when fairies still
visited this earth, little girl whose name
was Yuddi. Her parents were poor and
had to work hard and continuously to
gain even the small amount on which
Oriental laborers are able to support life.
Poor little Yuddi's childhood was not
very full Of pleasure. For her were none
OF the toys and games that modern skill
and ingenuity have fashioned to make
the season of youth enjoyable.
In the cold season Yuddi was occa-
sionally sent to a school presided over by
wise old Brahmin, Rhasta, who for a
few "pice, as the smallest native coin is
called, taught his pupils as much as their
brains could absorb in the limited time
they gave to study.
Many people think that India is land
where great heat prevails the year round.
This is true only of certain of the south
ern parts; but in the north, where there
are some of the highest mountains in the
world, and where farming is carried on
in the valleys between lofty hills or upon
very elevated plateaus, the cold in win
Ter, and during the long ''rainy season, "
is often intense. Poor Yuddi frequently
suffered much from the bitter weather,
her clothing being thin and scanty, while
the walls of the hut and the loosely-6t-
ting doorway admitted a great deal of
frosty air.
The dearest wish of her heart was for
large, warm cloak, in which she could
brave the cold when she was allowed to
go to school, and wrap herself at night.
Often and often she prayed that such a
good gift might be sent to her, but for a
long time in vain. She had heard great
deal about Fairies who watched over
good childrep, yet the one who ought to
have attended on her had never made
herselfknown. With the sweet, trusting
faith of childhood, Yuddi did not give
way to despair, but only strove to be a
better girl, believing that if her guardian
had not come, it was because she had not
deserved the boon.
Late one night, after Yuddi had been
asleep for several hours, she was startled
from her slumber by voice calling in
the sweetest tones she had ever heard:
Awake, Yuddi, and see what I have
brought thee!' The child sat IN on her
bed of dried rice-leaves, rubbed her
astonished eyes, which at length showed
to her the most beautiful being she had
ever seen. Yuddi knew at once that il
was Fairy. 1t was not however such a
creature as our Western writers have told
us OF, or that we see in pictures or upon
the stage in pantomimes and spectacular
plays. II was not dressed in white gauze
nor did it have butterHy-ike wings and
magic wand. Mo- this was an Indian
Fairy, with dark olive-tinted skin. and
with bare arms and feet. Round the
body was wound in numerous folds n
scarf OF some many-colored material. in
which shone threads of gold. The folds
Tell almost to the knees, below which
appeared loose trousers of semi-trans-
parent silver gauze. Round her wrists
and ankles were massive rings studded
with gems.
A single diamond, brilliant as the
"kohinoor" itself-Queen Victoria's
richest Jewel-glittered on her forehead.
sustained by narrow fillet of gold. From
TINS seemed to flow soft light, which
suifused the hut. Once, when at the
Bazaar, Yuddihad seen Nautch dancer
who bore faint resemblance to the
FAIRY. That dancer had been, till now,
her ideal of beauty, but she saw at once
how surprisingly lovely was the present
visitor. Yuddi was not at all frightened
but she glanced round with some anxiety
TO sec II her parents were awake. They
were sleeping soundly, and Yuddi could
not help feeling glad that she had this
lovely vision all to herself.
II am awake she said; "what can
Yuddi, the little daughter Of Ri Lines.
do to serve youl"
Nothing, child, answered the Fairy.
Il am come to serve you. You have
longed for a cloak; see, have brought
you one" and she held up before the
girls delighted gaze the most exquisite
garment she had ever beheld II was of
the purest white lambs wool, and round
the collar and edges were embroidered
In letters Of gold some of the wisest saw
ings Of Brahma.
SIS that really for me, my very ownin
cried Yuddi
Eyes, my child, If you can keep the
conditions Of the gift. This is the Cloak
Of Truth, and no one must wear Il who
does not speak perfect truth. II the
wearer deceives or equiyocates, be Il
never so little, the word Falsi6er, viii